STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The Portuguese Prime Minister arranged a special Gujarati meal at the lunch hosted for PM Modi, who hails from Gujarat

The two leaders will build on their recent discussions and review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa and signed a number of agreements to intensify co-operation in the fields of taxation, science, space, youth affairs and sports.

The two countries signed MOUs on space alliance and a protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

Also signed were MoUs on nano technology, public administration and governance reforms, cultural cooperation, and biotechnology.

PM Modi thanked the Portuguese prime minister for his consistent support for India's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, and of the Multilateral Export Control Regime.

India and Portugal also agreed to cooperate in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, and also to set up a joint science and technology fund of four million euros, PM Modi said.

The Portuguese PM said that science will be one of the most important areas for cooperation between the two countries in future.

The Indian prime minister condoled the loss of lives in the forest fires last week that killed 64 people.

Modi, who arrived here on the first leg of his three- nation tour, said his brief visit will further strengthen relations between India and Portugal.

The Portuguese Prime Minister arranged a special Gujarati meal that included the delicacies "Shrikhand' and "Rotli" at the lunch hosted for PM Modi, who hails from Gujarat.